ID Released Of Man, 20, Found Dead In Stamford; New Details: Police

STAMFORD, CT — Police have identified the 20-year-old man who was found dead in the South End of Stamford on Oct. 18 as Modesto Santiago-Gomez, according to a news release from the Stamford Police Department.

The SPD said Santiago-Gomez is believed to be homeless. Investigators have notified next of kin and have been in communication with the Guatemalan consulate.

Shortly after 2 a.m., Wednesday, police received a 911 call from a person who reported a man, later identified as Santiago-Gomez, laying on his back on the grassy area near the pathway that connects Woodland Avenue and Walter Wheeler Drive, police said

Stamford fire and EMS personnel responded and pronounced Santiago-Gomez dead at the scene.

Police said earlier this week they considered Santiago-Gomez's death as "suspicious."

The SPD said Friday that they are proceeding with the death investigation "as a criminal incident," but will await a final determination from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of CT (OCME).

The OCME has not determined the cause and manner of death, but their assessment is ongoing, police said. An autopsy was conducted on Oct. 19.

The SPD said it will work in conjunction with the Stamford State's Attorney's Office on the investigation.

Police are asking anyone with information related to the investigation to contact Sgt. Jennifer Lynch of the SPD Major Crimes Unit at 203-977-4417. The public can also submit a confidential text tip by texting the word "StamfordPD" and the tip information to 847411.